Since the beginning of
mankind, man has woven grasses, straw, twigs and branches to create
baskets. Early uses for the basket were to store dry goods and to
transport food and materials. In biblical times, larger baskets were
used for transporting people and goods on the water. Always a useful,
sturdy container, it was a tool of man for tens of thousands of years.

When
the Mayflower landed on the shores of America, the European settlers
were greeted with the first gift baskets. Dried fish and meats, corn,
beans and other vegetables were presented to the settlers, by the
American Indians, to welcome their arrival....